Archive for June, 2011

Much has been made of the imminent arrival of Gervinho, the Ivory Coast Wing-Wizard from Lille. He formed a formidable partnership with Eden Hazard, the young Belgian prodigy and they created havoc and a multitude of opportunities for Sow.

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Alisher Usmanov, Uzbek Billionaire and major shareholder of Arsenal Football Club has this week completed an interview with members of the Tabloid Press.

In this interview he cleverly targets what he sees as the major problem points in the current rift between the incumbent Arsenal Board and the fans.

Firstly he hit on the 6.5% increase suggesting that the funds could be better raised elsewhere and he questioned the validity of raising prices to see a trophy-less team.

Secondly he questioned the motives of the current board, suggesting that perhaps they are happy to settle for top four mediocrity and reap the profits.

Thirdly, he identified that there is an obvious weakness in the team suggesting that he agreed with ‘certain commentator’s about what is required to make Arsenal competitive again.

Fourth and finally he identified that the commercial agreements and sponsorships are up for renewal and their re-negotiation will be far more profitable if the team is successful.

Now let’s be direct for a moment at least. Clarity is a gift rarely used in such games as Usmanov is playing right now.

The timing of this interview is suspect at best, mischievous at worst. There is a Q&A scheduled with Ivan Gazidis and the AST this week and this can be no coincidence.

Usmanov is a frustrated, sulking investor who has always used the media to put out his dirty washing about Arsenal FC and the Board. He has again brought up the rights issue, which would dilute the stake that all fans and investors have in Arsenal FC. Now if you proudly held 5% in Arsenal FC would you be happy with that being reduced in value to 2.5% because more shares have been issued?

I don’t like Usmanov. I don’t like how he uses the media and I certainly don’t like how he is using us and our frustrations to get at the board. ‘The Arsenal Way’ is to be dignified, even in defeat. Usmanov has lost the battle over the rights issue (and rightfully so in my opinion) and he should now put up or shut up.

He isn’t telling us anything that we didn’t already know. He is putting a rather biased spin on things however.

His analysis of the 6.5% increase is nothing more than statement of fact. As upsetting as it is.

The stated weaknesses in the team (vague as they were) are a product of an hour of trolling round the net. He doesn’t tell us anything that isn’t clear to see nor does he offer any suggestions to fix the issue.

The accusation that the Board are just in it for personal profit is pure conjecture and sensationalism. I’m very confident Stan Kroenke has never taken a dividend.

The commercial deals that are up for renewal in the next few years are of course going to improve generally on several fronts. Firstly because these things only ever go up in price and comparitive deals at other clubs bring in more revenue. Secondly because our existing deals were front-loaded(where all the fees were paid up front, not staggered) to help finance the deposit for the financing Grove and thirdly of course it will be a better deal if we are more successful. Arsene is out trying to buy the best player’s he can afford and I support him.

Arsenal fans, now is the time for unity. We need to stick together and be strong because the media love having a pop. We know what needs to be done on the pitch and in terms of the squad and Arsene knows it too (as his advances for player’s has already shown) so I have confidence that the squad will be strengthened and in doing so will galvanise the Arsenal Board’s stance of keeping the Status Quo.

Keep the faith Gooner’s. Arsenal FC with investment which is already under way will be successful again. Don’t let all this negativity consume and divide us.

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Last year it was Chris Smalling. A talented, pacy centre-back from Fulham. We were in for him and ol’ Red Nose got in there and nabbed his signature.

Have we finally lost that kudos? The ‘Arsenal have come in for me, that’s amazing I’d love to play for them because they’re a team that wins things’ effect?

I hope not as we try and scour the globe for fresh talent to strengthen our squad this summer.

Jones’s transfer to ManYoo is frustrating because we were in there first. He should have been ours. Were we not fast enough? I’m not disappointed that we didn’t get Jones per se, but more that ManYoo scum were chosen ahead of us.

It isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Arsene has demonstrated that he is prepared to flash the cash again as his 16.5million bid suggests so expect more movement in that department shortly.

I do trust that he is going to sort out the shortcomings from last season because it was plain to see how gutted he was that the current crop failed so spectacularly at the finish.

He has to sort it out. He’s losing the fans and he needs us as much as we need him.

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The papers are full of it. These stories that are designed to bring shock and sensation to a world where the printed word in these tabloid red-tops is gospel to those who read them like a bible.

You can feel the vitriol emanating from the blogosphere. I don’t intend to waste any of my website on it.

Lets be clear, WiganGooner always will be a site based on my opinions and views and not a reactionary space to some column inches from the Daily Sport or whatever trash prints the next bit of rubbish.

If Nasri wants to go, let him. If Cesc wants to go, let him. If Clichy wants to go, let him. I’d rather see Arsenal schoolboys play and lose 5:0 than watch people playing for the club that don’t care about it. Don’t fight for it.

There’s no pride in following a bunch of badge-kissing, lip-service dealing players. Not for me at least. It feels like I’m just wasting my time, they want victory for Arsenal less than our opponents do. I’d rather have players like Jack, Lansbury, Djourou, Theo playing who really want to win for us, for Arsenal.

For now I’m going to ignore all transfer gossip and I’ll only talk about transfers when they are confirmed on Arsenal.com. I could spend days writing about the possibilities and the in’s and outs but really its all media-spun hype and I’ve got better things to do.

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Arsene has been a target of vicious abuse from opposition fans for his penchant to buy young, talented footballer’s rather than established household names.

We’re all aware of the chants, but Arsene can rise above it in the knowledge that every player that passes through his tutelage improves both as a player and as a person.

These player’s careers are irrevocably changed by Arsene and they are always thankful for his efforts on their behalf.

Bendtner will have a fine career, as will Denilson in leagues where their talents will be more appropriate and appreciated. Both are certainly better footballer’s than they were when they first arrived but both player’s development have stalled and now is the right time to move on to pastures now.

For the likes of Jack Wilshire, Kieron Gibbs and Henri Lansbury there is only Arsenal in their veins. These player’s schooled through Hale End, then London Colney have Arsenal DNA and Arsene’s footballing philosophy in their hearts.

Add to the mix Aaron ‘Rambo’ Ramsey, Robin Van Persie, Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny, Sczcesny and Fabianski and we have a squad with many years left in the legs, in the heart and in red and white.

The emergence of the young talent like Wilshire is exactly why Arsene is right not to sign stop-gap players. Yes you can buy experience, but you can’t force those players to love the club in the same way our Academy products do.

In the world of super-rich footballers with their badge-kissing antics it’s refreshing to know that Wilshire will take to the pitch leaving nothing behind and when he finishes the game the tank is empty. In that vein I also look forward to Lansbury’s return to the Arsenal first team because he’s one of ours. I rate him as a player and I love his determination and fight.

I’ll be honest, I’m tiring of these contract wranglings of Clichy and Nasri. You can’t measure life by how much money you earn, you measure it by how you are as a person and whether you are respected by your peers.

If you don’t love Arsenal enough to sign on the line, whatever the salary then I’m not interested. Respect the club that gambled on you, be honest and get out if money is all that motivates you.

Like Mark Hughes, you’ll soon learn that chasing the next big pay-check will earn you a reputation that you will struggle to shake off. As SAF proved, you can win with kids.